The Equity Stop

DID YOU KNOW

By Jessica L. Chapman, Esq. Did you know that studies indicate that an average of 80% of people abandon the resolutions they have set for the New Year by February? Are you thinking back on your own resolutions and figuring out when you stopped working towards them? We’ve all been there, I’m sure. The key, I think, is choosing realistic and manageable resolutions, and creating a game plan. How can you do that? Here are some simple steps: 1. Be as specific as possible – For example, if your goal is workout-related, instead of saying, “This year I will get into a gym routine,” map it out! Set a goal to start going to the gym twice a week for the first three months, then increase it to three times a week for the next three months, then four or five times a week for the remainder of the year. Similarly, if your goal is to read more, you could start by reading one chapter a week, then increase it to two chapters a week, or even five pages per day. Work with what fits YOUR schedule. 2. Get a journal or tracking app – This will help you keep track of your progress. Also, seeing what your next step is or how far you’ve come will help you stick to your end goal. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! 3. Reward system – Make sure to write down how you will reward yourself when you reach your next goal. Rewarding yourself with something every time you reach your next milestone will give you something to look forward to. It can be as simple as splurging on something you’ve had your eye on or as fun as a weekend away with friends.

As in our jobs, creating realistic goals and setting timelines makes things much more manageable. With a game plan in mind, you will be one of the 20% who achieves their resolutions . . . or at least makes it past February!

In The Works for 2023:

1. Project Linus 2. North Penn High School Debate 3. Wills for Seniors 4. Name Change Clinic 5. Diversity Book Club 6. Women Networking Event - Collaboration with

Women in the Law 7. Meet & Greet with Local Law School Diversity

Members 8. Career Day at Local High Schools 9. Meditation

ERA Rent Relief Exhaustion

By Michelle Dempsky, Esq.

Since the Covid crisis began, US Jobs Report estimates that the USA has lost working hours equal to 20.6 million full-time jobs, not including independent contractors and seasonal employees. Individuals and families affected by this income loss have faced enormous difficulties in paying rent in a timely manner throughout the crisis, resulting in a surge of evictions. To address this issue, the Federal Government dispersed $2.9 billion in funds under the Emergency Rent Assistance Program (ERAP) to the states, to assist tenants who have lost income due to Covid. The program began effective March 13, 2020, and continues through the present. However, not every county is left in the same position.

While there is no monetary limit on the amount of assistance a household can receive, the ERAP funding was not unlimited, and many county agencies have already approached the threshold on exhausting available funds. This has caused different counties to either terminate their rent relief programs, or severely limit new applications or eligibility for relief. These variations between the

counties have already caused confusion, and the most up-to-date information is critical for tenants and their attorneys to navigate this uncertain process. For this reason, we’re listing the most up-to-date information on the status of the ERA programs of nearby counties.

Chester County: United Way of Chester County announced changes to the Chester County Emergency Rental Assistance Program on October 10, 2022. The announcement from United Way states: “Beginning Monday, October 10th, Chester County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is taking a pause from processing new referrals, to allow the organizations that are administering ERAP to work through, review and support everyone that is currently in the system and that qualifies for emergency rental and utility assistance. The pause in new referrals is expected to continue until November 15th, after which time only those households with an eviction notice or utility shut-off notice will be referred for ERAP assistance.”

Delaware County: Delaware County’s Emergency Rental Assistance (Delco ERA) program applications CLOSED Saturday, September 10, 2022. Applications filed on or before September 10, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. will continue to be processed until funds run out. Delco ERA also noted in a September 7, 2022 Facebook post: “Delaware County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Delco ERA) is approaching 100% expenditure of its allocation of $76,397,830 in ERA 1 and 2 funds. On Saturday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m., Delco ERA will no longer accept registrations for first-time or subsequent assistance. For those who have already registered, we will continue to process applications until all available funds are exhausted. We will continue to process grants with the remaining funds and send out a notice when all funding is exhausted.”

Bucks County: On September 2, 2022, Bucks County announced changes to the Bucks Emergency Rental Assistance (BERA) program. The BERA webpage states, “Effective 9/2/2022, eligible tenants can receive 3 total months of financial assistance, including utilities, with up to 1 month of prospective rent assistance. This financial assistance is one time only, and additional funds will not be made available. Due to time-limited additional funding availability, tenants that applied to the BERA program and utilized all available funds prior to Sept. 2, 2022 may be eligible for additional financial assistance for any additional utility and/or rental arrears through the month of September 2022. Tenants should reach out to their assigned reviewer or to the BERA Helpline at 888-50-BUCKS to determine eligibility for this limited time funding and complete the Additional Fund Request.”

Montgomery County: Your Way Home of Montgomery County’s Emergency Rent and Utility Coalition (ERUC) is currently still accepting applications, with priority given to households with active eviction cases or pay and stay judgments. The funding is expected to last through the end of December, 2022. However, the depletion of ERA funding may result in new restrictions or limitations being implemented in January or February of 2023, and all tenants who may qualify are encouraged to submit an application prior to the end of the calendar year, so that new restrictions do not limit available assistance. More information can be obtained at: https://yourwayhome.org/eruc.

To be eligible, a Montgomery County household merely must show that (1) one or more individuals in the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) the household can demonstrate a risk of homelessness or housing instability, and (3) the household must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income at the time of application.

To apply, residents are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or text their zip code to 898-211. Applications can be done over the phone, in person, emailed, or a combination. Residents can also reach out to one of six partner organizations below to learn more about the program and apply:

ACLAMO: www.aclamo.org, (610) 277-2570 (Norristown) or (610) 970-2134 (Pottstown). Family Services of Montgomery County: ERU@fsmontco.org or (610) 630-2111 x235. Manna on Main Street: www.mannaonmain.org/need-help/ getting-help or call (215) 855-5454. CADCOM: Visit www.cadcom.org/pre-screen-form-eruc-cadcom. Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities: call (484) 3935441 or www.pottstowncluster.org/covidrentutilityassistance.